CONTACT: Pvt. Rachel Sanzo (518) 786-6151

FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Jul 12, 2008

ON SITE: Staff Sgt. Kevin Abbott (315) 427-3084

WHO:

Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation and family members

WHAT:

Members of the media are invited to meet with and observe Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation and their family members participating in the New York Army National Guard Reintegration Program July 12 in Buffalo. The new program is designed to help Soldiers and their families understand and cope with some of the stresses of returning home after deployment to a combat zone.

WHEN:

Saturday, July 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:

Adam’s Mark Buffalo 120 Church St. #1 Buffalo, NY 14215

Coverage Opportunities: 0900-1000: Welcoming brief by Lt. Col. Olsen 1000-1415: Reintegration workshops for single and married veteran Soldiers hosted by families and the Reintegration Team, youth programs, lunch, etc. 1415-1500: Closing remarks by group leaders The Reintegration Program The New York Army National Guard Reintegration Program is an effort to help Soldiers and their families cope with the stress of returning to civilian life after deployment, while also helping Army National Guard units transition from their federal mobilization status back to state control. For the previous five years, the policy when Army National Guard units returned from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan was to give the Soldiers 90 days to themselves before they were required to begin coming to regular monthly National Guard weekend drills. While the goal-giving Soldiers time to decompress and spend time with their families after a year or 18 months away-was laudable, the system had flaws. During that 90 day period, Soldiers might begin experiencing problems and they had no one to talk to about it. Family members also might be put under strain as a long-gone spouse suddenly returned home. The new program requires Soldiers to be present for paid assemblies at 30 and 60 days after their return from a combat zone, and invites families to attend as well. The sessions are held in a non-threatening, non-military environment, to provide Soldiers and families a chance to share experiences and talk frankly with each other and counselors about their experiences. National Guard Soldiers are put back in touch with people who shared and understand their experience, at about the time the "honeymoon phase" of their homecoming starts fading. And with their spouses by their side, they hear about benefits and programs outlined (and potentially ignored) at briefings during demobilization. At two months, there are briefings on anger management, substance abuse, gambling, financial management and other topics. Army studies have found that these issues occur at about those times. Again, spouses are invited along and the National Guard pays for the hotel for this session. At the 90-day interval the Soldiers return to regular drilling status and report to their Armory for medical checks and additional briefings. While many states are putting together reintegration programs, New York’s also focuses on the process of helping a unit get back into the rhythm of National Guard duty. The training schedule for the first year after return from a combat zone is provided to the unit, making it easier for the leadership to hit the ground running. The New York Army National Guard's goal is to integrate Soldiers, their families, and the Soldiers' units back into life here in New York following service in a war zone. (The Adam’s Mark Hotel in Buffalo was chosen as the site for the reintegration event because there were no available facilities in Rochester large enough to accommodate participants.)